CHARGERS: L.T. wants to alter tradition and play in exhibitions, but Turner unsure

SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers open their exhibition season
Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks, and for most, the
head-scratching has started: Should LaDainian Tomlinson play when
the games don't count?

"I haven't even thought about it,'' coach Norv Turner said.

But others have, including No. 21.

"I want to play,'' Tomlinson said. "And we'll see where it takes
us.''

The summer slumber that is the exhibition slate usually comes
and goes with Tomlinson comfortably on the bench. He has only 14
carries in eight seasons and not one since 2005, when he galloped
55 yards for a touchdown.

But Tomlinson said Monday that suiting up would suit him fine
---- and that a little summer work could help him early in the
season.

"I think it's just game tempo is the biggest thing you lose,''
Tomlinson said. "And so what happens is the first two games, it's
me getting back into the tempo of things, of getting hit again and
just kind of the relationship you have to have with your linemen as
far as getting in and out of holes, setting up blocks, making cuts
bursting for speed, taking on tacklers. (Those) are the things you
missed if you don't play preseason.''

Tomlinson might have a point. In the opening two games since
2006, he has surpassed 100 rushing yards just once. And in 16 games
over the first two weeks of his eight-year career, Tomlinson has
only four 100-yard games, with two coming in his first two
seasons.

But Turner seemed surprised that anyone would advance the notion
that Tomlinson should play.

"He's an awfully good player, you know, and he is getting a lot
of good work out here,'' Turner said.

Turner's body language seemed to suggest Tomlinson will be
grounded again. Tomlinson can see Turner's point of view.

"I think it comes down to it's a long season, obviously, and
they want to have me fresh and continue to run hard late in the
December, into January instead of taking carries in the preseason
where it is just more pounding on the body,'' said Tomlinson, whose
injured groin prevented him from playing in the Chargers' last
playoff game.

"It wouldn't make a difference. But then you get to the point
where you've seen guys in preseason get hurt and miss some time in
the regular season. Now that is not something I worry about, but it
does happen sometimes.''

But the promise of just a peek of Tomlinson could accelerate the
Chargers' lagging ticket sales. The team said it's not close to
selling out any of its 10 home games, including exhibitions against
the Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers (Sept. 4).

Tomlinson may be 30 years old, but he still recalls the
disappointment when his sports idol, Emmitt Smith, skipped
preseason games.

"I remember being a kid catching a Cowboys game and whenever
they used to say Emmitt Smith is not playing tonight, I would get
mad and walk out of the room,'' he said. "I (wanted) to see him
play.